Mexico eyes treatment, not jail, for drug users

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has an offer for drug users: Go into rehab, stay out of jail.

Calderon sent lawmakers an initiative Thursday that would give people caught with less than 2 grams of marijuana, half a gram of cocaine, 40 milligrams of methamphetamine or other drugs the choice of treatment. Those who refuse could be sentenced to up to three and a half years in prison.

Currently Mexican judges decide how drug offenders should be charged. Calderon's measure seeks to codify different treatment for users and dealers.

Two years ago, then-President Vicente Fox introduced a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, …